Electric Tata Tigor rolled out; All details on Tata Motors EV plan

It was known, it was coming and now it is here, Tata Motors has finally rolled out is first batch of electric Tata Tigor from its Sanand facility and Gujarat and is now ready to for its electric vehicles (EV) innings in India with first set of electric Tata Tigor will make its wat to the state run Energy Efficiency Services limited (EESL) for which Tata Motors had bid aggressively and was awards a tender to supply 10,000 electric cars out of which 30% was later given to Mahindra & Mahindra.

Flag off was done by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors from the assembly linein the presence of Ratan N Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group and Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors and members of the Tata Motors Executive Committee. The Tigor EVs are being manufactured for the Indian Government’s order of electric vehicles from the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), an entity under the Ministry of Power.

Earlier in September 2017, Tata Motors won the order worth Rs 1,120 crore and will supply 7,000 units in two phases with first batch of electric Tigor to be handed over before 30th December 2017. Mahindra matched the bid made by Tata Motors on 9th October, and was rewarded 30% of the total order, the company has already delivered the first set of Mahindra e-Verito electric sedan and about 150 units have already been supplied under the first phase, Mahindra will supply 150 of the 500 electric cars under the first phase.

Tata Motors on the other hand will will deliver 250 Tigor EVs EVs, for which it has received a LoA. For an additional 100 cars, the LoA is expected to be issued shortly by EESL. The electric drive systems for this order have been developed and supplied by Electra EV – a company established to develop and supply electric drive systems for the automotive sector.

Tata Tigor Electric Car

The electric cars being procured by EESL will cost them Rs 11.2 lakh per unit and will highlight the government's ambitious plan for a mass shift to electrification of vehicles by 2032. Tata Motors is very sure in making money out of this EESL order and Guenter Butschek, MD & CEO of Tata Motors had earlier said "We will be making enough money from each of the units that we will be selling to EESL. As of now, we will be selling 6,500-7,000 units and if the other company (Mahindra) opts out we will lap up the rest of the order as well,"

During the flag off of electric Tata Tigor, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata group commented, “This occasion is a significant milestone for Tata Motors and a proud moment for the entire team. As we work together to build the future of e-mobility in India, I am confident that our customers will respond very favourably to this electric model. I congratulate the entire Tata Motors team for this commendable achievement and wish them the very best as they go forward on this journey.”

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said “It is indeed a momentous occasion for us as we have shown an exemplary teamwork spirit to overcome all challenges in delivering this project. I also recognize the invaluable contribution made by Electra EV as part of this team. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and offering a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the Government.”

EESL has further confirmed that there will be another tender to procure mopre 10,000 units and while Mahindra has already confirmed that it will bid for the order, we expect Tata Motors too also be aggressive in the second order. Electric Vehilce race in India is set to take off in a big way and going forward expect more government and private sector to come out with more tenders to procure electric cars. More over cab aggregators like Ola and Uber is expected to have an electric fleet soon. Mahindra and Uber have already vetured into a partnership to stude the feasiblity of deploying electric cars in Delhi and Hyderabad. Expect more such annoucement by various manufacturers including Tata Motors soon.